Good Pay Does Not Define A Quality Job

Cathie Leimbach • July 2, 2024

Emotional health in the workplace is a critical aspect often overlooked in today's fast-paced environments. Shockingly, only 23% of employees report thriving at work, with nearly half of those under 30 stating that their job has negatively impacted their mental well-being. However, fostering emotional health not only improves individual satisfaction but also boosts overall productivity and retention rates.


Good pay alone does not define a quality job. Thriving at work requires both a living wage and a positive emotional experience. One key factor in promoting emotional health is providing employees with a sense of ownership in their work. When individuals feel empowered and valued, their motivation and loyalty soar. This can be achieved through alignment between personal values and company purpose, granting autonomy to leverage strengths, and fostering mutual respect and trust.



Building psychological ownership is crucial. This involves soliciting employee input, actively listening to their ideas, and implementing valuable suggestions. By prioritizing emotional health and fostering ownership, organizations can create a workplace where employees thrive, driving success for both individuals and the company as a whole.

By Cathie Leimbach September 30, 2025
Based on insights from James Hewitt's "Regenerative Performance" Something's not adding up in today's workplace. While companies demand more from their teams, the results tell a concerning story. Research shows that 50% of employees now show clear signs of burnout, and an alarming 73% feel disconnected from their work. James Hewitt, performance expert and author of "Regenerative Performance," points to a critical mismatch. We're asking people to perform at peak levels without giving them what they need to recover and recharge. Think of it like a smartphone. You can't expect your phone to run at full power all day without plugging it in. Yet that's exactly what we're doing to our workforce. We pile on meetings, deadlines, and pressure while cutting back on the very things that restore energy: breaks, development time, and meaningful connection. The solution isn't working less—it's working smarter. Hewitt's research reveals that sustainable high performance comes from balancing intense effort with intentional recovery. Teams that build in time to recharge actually outperform those that push through exhaustion. Smart leaders are already making the shift. They're protecting their people's energy as carefully as they manage their budgets. Because burned-out employees don't just hurt themselves—they hurt the bottom line too. Want to dive deeper into this issue? View The Burnout Crisis to understand the full scope of this workplace challenge. "Sustainable high performance comes from the rhythm of oscillation—not from the intensity of effort alone." —James Hewitt
By Cathie Leimbach September 23, 2025
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